In Jodhpur and Badmer districts, 23 villages were identified to pilot community managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR) practices. After the hazard and vulnerability analysis it was observed that the dalit and women headed families face acute form of risks due to recurrent drought. Shortage of drinking water and hardship faced to access drinking water and fodder are the main reasons of distressed migration. Some of the vulnerable families are not able to access water from government water supply through mobile tankers as they do not have storage facility at the household level. When the women go to fetch water from public water sources, it not only adds to their daily drudgery but often face humiliation and atrocities from ‘clean caste’ groups.

As part of risk reduction process, small and regular size water harvesting tanks have been constructed for the dalit vulnerable families. To make drinking water available two tanker mounted tractors have been provided to the community task forces. To build the vulnerable communities resilience to drought, land development for fodder security and livelihood promotion has been initiated. Most vulnerable families were supported to develop horti-pasture lands. These families are often forced to migrate at the time of drought. With the involvement of these migrant families in the horti pasture development their association with land has increased, migration has reduced. Distress sale of small animals like goats, which is a major source of livelihood has been reduced. This intervention has created a hope among the poor in the desert area who held a strong belief that no tree will survive in their agricultural field during drought.

The farmers were mobilised to identify about one acre of land and fence it so that it is completely protected. After the protection fence is made, a rain water harvesting tank of 30,000 litres is built, which is used for watering the plants. In case of drought, the farmers make use of the water tanker mounted over the tractor to fill the tanks. Based on participatory selection of trees, good quality samplings are provided. The farmers are exposed to government soil testing labs and trained on pest control. Broadly the plants grown by the farmers are grafted Ber, (Ziziphus Mauritiana) and Gunda (Cordia Myxa). Besides this once the area is fenced many local trees grow in this area. Our experience show that in three years of time the farmers earn about Rs.8,000/- from the Ber and Gunda. The leaves of these plants and grass are also used as fodder for goats. In the pilot villages, people are advised to take up insurance for health and livestock.

To promote safe construction technology, mason trainings have been regularly organised. In Jodhpur and Badmer district construction artisan forums have been promoted. These artisans are involved in production of stabilised soil blocks and ferro cement channels for roof construction. A small laboratory has been set up at our Jodhpur office campus for testing of soil and construction material.

Overall, in 23 villages of Western Rajasthan and 10 villages of Kutchch, CMDRR was taken up in which the community was trained on hazard and vulnerability assessment. Based on the assessment of risks, the community has developed their risk mitigation and prevention strategies in convergence with the existing development programmes. NREGA work has been used as a means for risk prevention like afforestation, check walls, de-siltation in most of the villages. In every village a task force has also been developed for effective response and recovery. Under the task force women para-health workers were trained on first aid and on effective use of government health services.